Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Agricultural Laborer

🎯 Role Definition

We are seeking a dependable Agricultural Laborer to support all phases of crop and/or livestock production on a commercial farm. The Agricultural Laborer performs planting, cultivation, harvest, packing and equipment maintenance while following safety and quality standards. This role requires physical stamina, attention to detail, the ability to operate or learn farm machinery (tractors, harvesters, sprayers), and a commitment to food-safety and environmental compliance. Ideal candidates demonstrate teamwork, punctuality, and the ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions on seasonal and year-round operations.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Seasonal Farm Worker or Harvest Crew Member
Farmhand Apprentice or Laborer Trainee
Agricultural Temporary Labor program (e.g., H-2A) participants

Advancement To:

Lead Fieldhand / Lead Harvester
Equipment Operator (tractor, harvester, loader)
Irrigation Technician or Maintenance Technician
Crew Supervisor or Assistant Farm Manager
Harvest Manager or Farm Operations Manager

Lateral Moves:

Greenhouse Technician
Nursery or Horticulture Specialist
Packing House / Post-harvest Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform planting, transplanting, and seedbed preparation using manual tools and light machinery, ensuring correct depth, spacing, and soil coverage to meet crop production plans and increase germination rates.
Operate and perform daily inspections on tractors, tillers, mowers, harvesters, skid steers, and utility vehicles according to manufacturer guidelines and farm safety protocols to support efficient field operations.
Execute crop cultivation tasks including weeding, thinning, pruning, training, trellising, and vine management to maximize plant health and yield while following integrated pest management (IPM) directives.
Conduct harvesting, picking, cutting, and handling of fruits, vegetables, or specialty crops with speed and precision; sort, grade, box, and prepare produce for packing to meet quality and food-safety standards (GAP/GMP).
Load and unload harvested crops, fertilizer, seed, and supplies onto trucks and trailers, ensuring safe stacking, accurate counts, and proper paperwork for shipping and inventory control.
Apply fertilizers, soil amendments, and approved pesticides/herbicides using backpack sprayers, boom sprayers, or ATV-mounted equipment under supervision and in compliance with label instructions and local regulations.
Install, maintain, and repair irrigation systems including drip lines, sprinklers, pumps, and timers; monitor soil moisture and adjust irrigation schedules to conserve water and protect crop health.
Monitor crop health daily for signs of pests, disease, nutrient deficiency, and environmental stress; report findings to supervisors and assist with targeted interventions or scouting reports.
Maintain barns, sheds, greenhouses, and tool storage areas; clean and sanitize packing lines, workspaces, and harvest containers to uphold food safety and hygiene standards.
Perform routine equipment maintenance (greasing, checking fluids, replacing belts and filters, basic welding) and coordinate with mechanics for larger repairs to minimize downtime during planting and harvest seasons.
Follow all OSHA, state, and farm-specific safety policies including proper use of PPE, lockout/tagout procedures, and safe chemical handling to reduce injuries and ensure regulatory compliance.
Collect and enter production data such as harvested weights, hours worked, pesticide application records, and field logs into paper or electronic reporting systems to support traceability and payroll.
Assist with livestock-related duties when applicable, such as feeding, watering, moving animals, cleaning pens, and monitoring animal health according to herd/flock management plans.
Operate harvest-quality-control checkpoints: inspect produce for defects, perform sample testing, and remove substandard items to maintain pack-out standards and reduce food-safety risks.
Participate in pre-harvest and post-harvest sanitation and cold-chain activities, including rapid cooling, packing, refrigeration staging, and shipping coordination to preserve product quality.
Implement erosion control, cover crop planting, and soil conservation practices during field preparation to support sustainable farming and long-term soil health.
Assist in planting and managing cover crops, green manures, and compost applications to improve soil structure and fertility while documenting application rates and dates.
Support pest management programs by deploying pheromone traps, beneficial insects, or cultural controls and helping with targeted spot treatments when necessary.
Communicate daily with supervisors and team members about field priorities, safety issues, tool needs, and operational changes to keep harvest schedules and crop plans on track.
Perform heavy lifting, repetitive manual tasks, and long periods of standing or bending in outdoor conditions while maintaining productivity and quality standards.
Follow instructions and standard operating procedures for specialty tasks such as grafting, bud union preparation, or vine/trellis repair to support specialized crop systems.
Assist in on-farm trials or precision agriculture activities by carrying out GPS-guided tasks, collecting geotagged samples, and following trial protocols as directed by agronomy staff.

Secondary Functions

Support inventory and logistics by tracking seeds, fertilizers, PPE, and spare parts; assist with ordering and receiving supplies to prevent production interruptions.
Help train new or seasonal crew members on basic farm safety, harvesting techniques, equipment operation, and quality standards to accelerate onboarding.
Contribute to on-farm sustainability and compliance recordkeeping, such as water usage logs, pesticide application records, and sustainability certification data.
Participate in staff meetings and safety briefings; provide practical feedback from field experience to improve workflows and crop protocols.
Assist with light administrative tasks, such as completing timecards, accident reports, and basic production documentation to ensure accurate operational records.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Tractor and implement operation and basic maintenance (plowing, disking, mowing, hauling).
Operation of harvest equipment and packline machinery, including loaders, pallet jacks, and bin movers.
Safe mixing, loading, and application of fertilizers and pesticides in accordance with label directions and state regulations; familiarity with PPE and decontamination procedures.
Irrigation system installation, troubleshooting and scheduling (drip, sprinkler systems, pump maintenance).
Produce grading, sorting, packing, and cold-chain handling procedures to meet quality and food-safety standards (GAP, GFSI awareness).
Basic mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills for on-farm equipment (belt changes, fluid checks, battery maintenance).
Familiarity with hand tools and power tools used in field work: shovels, hoes, pruners, chainsaws, and hedge trimmers.
Recordkeeping for harvest weights, pesticide applications, labor hours, and compliance documentation using paper forms or farm management apps.
Ability to read product labels, interpret basic agronomic instructions, and follow maps or GPS waypoints for field tasks.
Livestock handling basics when relevant: feeding, moving, basic animal health observation, and pen sanitation.
Basic math and measurement skills for mixing solutions, measuring application rates, and calculating acreage coverage.
Knowledge of crop-specific practices (pruning, grafting, trellising) for fruits, vegetables, or specialty crops when required.

Soft Skills

Strong physical stamina, reliability, and ability to work long hours during peak planting and harvest seasons.
Excellent attention to detail and commitment to quality control, food-safety, and regulatory compliance.
Clear oral communication and the ability to follow multi-step instructions from supervisors and agronomists.
Teamwork and cooperative attitude for working effectively in crews and cross-functional farm teams.
Problem-solving mindset and willingness to learn new techniques or equipment to improve production efficiency.
Time management and organization skills to prioritize tasks under seasonal time pressure.
Adaptability and resilience to handle variable weather, shifting priorities, and physically demanding conditions.
Cultural sensitivity and, where applicable, bilingual communication (Spanish/English) to collaborate with diverse crews.
Safety-first mindset that proactively identifies hazards and suggests improvements to reduce risk.
Customer- and quality-oriented approach when interacting with packhouse staff, drivers, and buyers.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent. Demonstrated practical experience on a farm or ranch may substitute for formal education.

Preferred Education:

Vocational certificate or coursework in agriculture, horticulture, tractor operation, equipment maintenance, or pesticide application.
Certified Pesticide Applicator (state-specific) or other relevant safety certifications considered a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Agriculture
Horticulture / Crop Science
Animal Science / Ranch Management
Agricultural Mechanization / Farm Equipment Technology
Environmental Science / Soil Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–3 years of agricultural or field experience for entry-level roles; 2–5+ years for roles requiring equipment operation or supervisory duties.

Preferred:

1+ seasons of direct harvesting or planting experience for seasonal crop operations.
Prior experience operating tractors and farm implements, or documented training/certification.
Experience with food-safety practices, packhouse routines, or post-harvest handling is highly desirable.
Valid driver's license and clean driving record for roles requiring transport of materials or equipment.